Mariano Rivera Wins Two Awards

Sep 26, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher

(42) pitches during the ninth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight began awards season across Major League Baseball, and in his final season, New York Yankees All-Star closer Mariano Rivera earned himself what will most likely be his last awards of his illustrious career. Rivera won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award, and also won the Marvin Miller Man of The Year Award.

We all know the story of Rivera’s 2012. While shagging fly balls in Kansas City during batting practice, Rivera took a bad step and blew out his ACL. Rivera came back this past season and looked like his old self. In fact, he set the record for the most saves in a final season of a career with 44 saves. Rivera went 6-2 with a 2.11 ERA. He exits his career with 652 saves, the most of anyone in history.

Rivera is the first Yankee to win the Marvin Miller award. The award “is given to the player whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement.”

Rivera’s work in the community is well known, and I’m sure it’s something he will continue to do even in retirement. He’s done work in the New York area as well as in his home country of Panama. Rivera’s foundation is working to help build schools and rebuild a church in New Rochelle, NY. His foundation also creates mentoring programs and provides computer labs to underprivileged children.

Congrats to Rivera on winning these two awards. They really couldn’t have gone to a better person.